The Orioles tough road trip continued in Boston, and like umpteen times before, the first game of the series ended in a loss.
When all was said and done, Baltimore lost to Boston, 3-1. Despite the loss, Nolan Reimold had a good night with a perfect night at the plate, going for 3-for-3 with a run scored; while Nick Markakis had 2 hits. Right now, in seven games on their current journey since the All-Star break, the Orioles have only won once. Is the swoon beginning much sooner than expected?
Meanwhile, Boston — who now trail the Yankees by 2 1/2 games for supremacy in the American League East — snapped a five game losing streak.
Well, the Orioles had the bases loaded in the ninth against the Red Sox’s Jonathan Papelbon as he gave up back-to-back singles to Adam Jones and Nick Markakis; thereafter, he gave up a one-out walk to Nolan Reimold before fanning both Luke Scott and Melvin Mora to end the contest.
Baltimore’s Brad Bergesen (6-5) pitched well, but took the loss as he went six innings, but gave up three runs along with nine hits, plus struck out five. Boston scored twice in the fourth inning off an RBI-single by Jason Varitek and a Jed Lowrie sacrifice fly. They scored again in the fifth inning as J.D. Drew plated in a run with an RBI groundout.
The Orioles only run came in the second inning as Melvin Mora plated in Nolan Reimold with a sacrifice fly.
The play of the game came in the sixth inning as Jacoby Ellsbury — who had a ground rule double in the frame — attempted to come home off a Dustin Pedoria base hit; however, Nick Markakis fielded the ball, threw home and nailed Ellsbury. The huge out was also impressive not only because of Markakis’ throw, but Wieters having the presence of mind in blocking the base and preventing Ellsbury from getting past him.
Boston’s Brad Penny (7-4) got the win as he went 6 1/3 and gave up one run — unearned — on five hits and he struck out four. Jonathan Papelbon earned the save in the ninth inning, his 25th of the year.
